Fireproof flooring.



Y Patented Oct. I6, |900. L. G. HALLBERG.

FIREPROOF FLDUBING.

(Applicatiun led Mar. b, 1896.)

No. 659,965. Patented Uct. I6, |900. L. G. HALLBERG.

FIREPBUF FLOORING.

(Application led Mar. 5, 1896.)

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L. G. HALLBEBG. FIREPBUUF FLOURING.

(Application led Mani, 1896.)

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.my present application.

LAFVRENCE GUSTAV HALLBERG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FIREPROOF FLOORING.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N o. 659,965, dated October 16, 1900. Application filed March 5, 1896. Serial No. 581,902.- (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAwRnNoE GUsTAv HALLBERG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,l have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fireproof Flooring, which is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a general plan of a portion of a tile flooring as the same is commonly constructed. Fig. 2 is a general plan of such a flooring as constructed according to one method in which my invention may be carried out. Fig. 3 is a general plan of such a flooring according to another method in which my invention may be carried out, which method is the particular.subject-matter of Fig. 4 is a plan, enlarged, of a portion of a tile iiooring such as that shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 7 7 of Fig. 4. Fig. S is a vertical section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a plan of another portion of a flooring, such as that shown in Fig. 3, with certain modifications. Fig. 10 is a vertical section on the line 10 10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11 1l of Fig. 9, exhibiting, however, certain further modifications. Fig. 12 is a section onthe line 12 12 of Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a detail View in plan of the collar supporting the center tile, with the attachments thereto. 'Fig let is a section on the line 14. let of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a detail view in plan of a portion of the skeleton structure shown in Fig. 3, exhibiting certain modifications.

It is the object of my invention to construct a ireproof tile flooring requiring the use of few or no transverse beams, thereby cheapening the construction and rendering possible the application of reproof flooring to many structures to which the cost has hitherto made it inapplicable. I attain this result by employing a system of tension-rods, which support the tile iooring by their resist ance to tensile strain, in the place of the usual transverse beams, which support the flooring by their resistance to bending strain. It is well known that this last-named resistance is much less for a given area of cross-section of beam or rod than a resistance to tensile strain. Hence by my system I decrease materially the weight of metal requisite for the support of the flooring. This system of tension-rods I supplement by a system of skewback tile supported directly thereomwhich in turn support a system of lat-arch tile that form the body of the flooring. To show the relation of this form of construction to that form hitherto usually employed, I have shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings a plan of a portion of a (small) flooring constructed according to the latter form, in which A designates the walls, and B the main girders. The transverse beams h extend from the girders B to the side Walls of this building or to other girders in the case of a wider building, and may be spaced by the rods b' b. Tile C are arched between the successive transverse beams b, which thus support the tile and the Weight upon the floor by their resistance to bending strain.

It is the object of my invention to replace the beams b by tension-rods, which are depressed as they approach the center of their span and so support any weight they may bear by their resistance to tensile strain. Upon these tension-'rods are arranged skewback tile, which in turn support the tile of the body of the flooring.

According to one method in which my i11- vention may be carried out, illustrated by the plan view in Fig. 2 of a portion of a floor ing so constructed, I retain the girders B', supported upon the walls A', and I replace the beams b by the tension-rods b2, which support connecting-rods h3, as shown. Upon the tension-rods h2 is arranged a system of skewback tile C/ and upon the connecting-rods h3 a system of skewb'ack tile C2. Filling in between the two systems and supported thereby are the tile C3, which are arched in two directions, and thus keyed upon the two systems C and C2. This method I have illustrated and described at length in another pending application, Serial No. 577,698, and to the details thereof I make no claim herein.

According to another method in which my invention may be carried out (illustrated in Figs. 3 to 15) I replace the girders B in part or altogether with columns D, from which the tension-rods b4 and h5, as shown in Fig. 3, are supported. In place of the tension-rods 1f,

however, I may employ transverse beams B2 IOO between the columns, as shown in Fig. 15. Upon the tension-rods b4 and b5 are arranged skewback tile E and E', respectively. Between them are disposed the flat-arch tile E2, which are arched in two directions, so as to receive support from all the skewback tile surrounding each panel.

In place of having the rods b4 and b5 extend unbroken from one column to another I may break them at their centers, as in the case of the rods h6, joining the ends by collars F.

Still another modification is to replace the tension-rods b4, b5, and h6, which I usually employ paired by broader ribbons 67, which may be used singly, but otherwise are constructed and operate as do the rods b4 b5, &c.

To describe and illustrate in more detail the construction particularly referred to in the last two paragraphs, I have shown in plan in FigA a portion of a ooring so constructed and in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 sections thereof. The tension-rods h6 are hooked at one end over collars surrounding the columns D or are secured thereto in any other convenient manner. Such collars G, if used, may rest upon the shoulder formed by the circular or polygonal bracket H, formed at the upper end of each column. The Itension-rods h6 or the ribbons 67, in case such be used, are hooked at their remaining ends or otherwise secured to the collars F, of which the general position is shown in Fig. 3 andthe particular construction in Figs. 13 and 14. Upon each of the collars F is placed a central tile, (designated as F' in the case of those tension-rods running directly and F2 in the case of the rods running diagonally between the Vcolu mns.) The tile F2 may be provided with the perforation f, which will permit its serving, in conjunction with the adjoining hollow tile, as a conduit for electric wires and the like. Between each of the central tile F and the columns D there is strung upon the rods h6 a system of skewback tile I' to I7, inclusive. These skewback tile are of the iiat-arch-tile form in longitudinal section, as shown in Fig. 5. They are skewback in cross section, as shown in Figs. 7 and S. Upon the tension-rods, between the central tile F2 and the surrounding columns, are strung another series of hat-arch tile J' J2 J3, dac., which are likewise of the flat-arch form in longitudinal section and skewback in crosssection. These two systems of rods with skewback tile supported thereon constitute a skeleton, leaving triangular spaces or panels which are iilled in by the fiat-arch tile K, which tile K are arched in both directions, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Thus the tile K transmit their own weight and any weight which they may support in all directions to the surrounding skewback tile. These skewback-tile systems are, in effect, compound beams in which the tension-rods by their-resistance to tensile strain and the tile strung thereon by their resistance to crushing sup-` port the weight of the floor-tiling K, which is keyed thereto.

As shown in Fig. 3, I may employ subsidiary supporting-rods bs in connection with the tension-rods b'i or tension-ribbons 57. Their attachment to the collar F is shown in Figs. 13 and 14E. According to a further modification I may arrange the said rods or ribbons asshown in the right-hand portion of Fig. 3; in the case of the ribbons b9, which are increased in number and further divided, to be attached to the collars F, F', and F2, the number of which collars is enlarged, as shown.

Figs. 9 to 12 illustrate still further modifications oi my invention by means of which I produce various raftered or vaulted effects, or both, in ceilings below a floor so constructed. Thus I may employ skewback tile of the form designated as L in place of the forms I and J, but correspondingin position thereto. The skewback tile L are of greater depth than and project below the tile K', which correspond to the tile K in the construction previously described. Not only is a raftered effect produced in the ceiling below, but also the tension-ribbon 57 will possess the greater tensile resistance and the skewback tile themselves a greater resistance to crushing force. In a word, the beams will be stronger in proportion as they are deeper.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a concrete layer M spread upon the tile, upon the top of which is the ordinary floor N, of any material, whether wood, stone, or tile. Such a concrete iiooring is clearly applicable, however, to any of the constructions previously described.

In Fig. 1l I have shown in vertical section, such as that along the line 11 11 of Fig. 9, another modication, according to which I employ a skewback tile L', corresponding to the skewback tile L and so to I and J, which tile L' spring in regular arched or vaulted form from capitals O upon the columns, producing both a paneled and vaulted eiect in the ceiling below. In such case the intermediate arch tile K2 follow the curvature of the skewback tile. Such a' construction may also be covered with a layer of concrete M and the usual iooring N', as in the other cases.

Throughout the constructions I have described I usually iind it expedient to form the skewback tile, which are strung upon the tension rods or ribbons, divided in the middle, so that they may be easily set upon the said tension-rods. Further, to protect the tension rods or ribbons from heat at those points where they pass under the central tile F' and F2 and similarly to protect the collars Fin case such are used I place below the same the flat tile P and P', as shown in Fig. 6.

The operation of the various parts embodied in the construction which I have described and shown in forming a iiooriug will readily be seen and has already been referred to. In general it may be said that the tile by their form and arrangement transmit any downward thrust, as a lateral or spreading thrust, which is directly counterbalanced by the tensile resistance of the tension-rods. The iiooring thus forms a rigid and homogeneous whole, the downward weight of which is supported by the walls or columns, or both, as the case may be.

Having now described my invention and some of the various modifications in which it may be carried out, I do not limit myself to any such specific form; but what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a tile flooring, two or more systems of tension-rods; suitable supports for the ends thereof; skewback tile carried by the said tension-rods; and iiat-arch tile having the operative surfaces of their sides and ends slanting convergingly downward so as to form a fiat arch of each panel, arranged to transmit downward stress thereon horizontally in three or more directions to the skewback-tile systems between which itis located and by which it is supported.

2. In a tile flooring, the columns D; two or more systems of tension-rods attached thereto and supported thereby; skewback tile supported upon the said tension-rods; and flatarch tile having the operative surfaces of their sides and ends slanting convergingly downward so as to form a flat arch of each panel, arranged to transmit downward stress thereon horizontally in three or more directions to the skewback-tile systems between which it is located and by which it is supported.

3. In a tlreproof flooring, a series of suspension-rods; suitable supports for the ends thereof; skewback tile carried by the said suspension-rods, and disposed longitudinally in a dat-arch form; and suitable looringmaterial iilling in between the skewback tile.

a. ln a ireproof flooring, a series of suspension-rods; suitable supports for the ends thereof; skewback tile carried by the said suspension-rods, and disposed longitudinally in a flat-arch form; and flat-arch tile filling in between the skewback tile.

5. In a iireproof flooring, two or more systems of suspension-rods; suitable supports for the ends thereof; skewback tile carried by the said suspension-rods, and disposed longitudinally in dat-arch form; and flat-arch tile arched in two directions filling in between the skewback-tile systems and forming panels which are supported from all the surrounding skewback tile.

6. In a iireproof iiooring, the columns D; two or more systems of suspension-rods attached thereto and supported thereby; skewback tile supported upon the said suspension-rods, and disposed longitudinally in a fiat-arch form; and flat-arch tile arched in two directions filling in the panels between the systems of skewback tile and supported by all the surrounding skewback tile.

7. In a tile flooring, the column D; the bracket H; the collar G directly superimposed over and supported from the said bracket; and the suspension-rods hooked at one end over the said collar G.

8. In a reproof flooring, the columns D; suspensionarods secured at one end thereto; and the collars F, to which the remaining ends of the said suspension-rods are secured.

9. In a ireproof flooring, the columns D; brackets H mounted upon the said columns; collars G directly superimposed over and supported from said brackets; suspension-rods hooked at one end over the collars G; and the collars F to which the remaining ends of the said suspension-rods are secured.

lO. In a iireproof ooring, the columns D; brackets H mounted upon the said columns; the collars G directly superimposed over and supported from the said brackets; suspension-rods hooked at one end over the said collars G; collars F to which the remaining ends of the said suspension-rods are secured; skewback tile carried by the said suspensionrods; and suitable filling material filling in the panels between the skewback systems, so formed.

ll. In a fireproof iiooring, the column D; skewback bracket H mounted on the said column; the suspension-rods; and aserics of tile carried by the said rods and contacting with the skewback bracket H.

12. In a iireproof flooring, the columns D; the skewback bracket H mounted thereon; the suspension-rods secured to the said columns; and a series of skewback tile disposed longitudinally in the form of a flat arch, carried by each said suspension-rod and contacting with the skewback bracket H.

13. In a reproof flooring, the columns D; skewback brackets mounted on the said columns; suspension-rods secured to the said columns; skewback tile carried by the said suspension-rods and disposed longitudinally in the form of a flat arch, and contacting with the said skewback brackets; and a dat-arch tile lling in between the skewback-tile systems.

14C. In a ireproof flooring, the columns D; skewback brackets H mounted on the said columns; the suspension-rods secured to the said columns; the central tile F' carried and supported from the said suspension-rods; and a series of skewback tile carried by the said suspension-rods disposed longitudinally in a flat-arch form and contacting with the bracket H and the central tile F.

l5. In a tile flooring, suspension-rods; suitable supports for the ends thereof; skewback tile carried by the said suspension-rods and disposed in an arched form; and fiat-arch tile filling in the panels between the said skewback tile, and secured thereto, the said arch tile being less in depth than the said skewback tile, whereby a paneled and vaulted effect is produced in the ceiling below.

L. GUSTAV IIALLBERG.

Witnesses:

HENRY GORDON STRONG, ALLAN A. MURRAY.

ICO

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